Staff Spotlight: Stephanie White
Stephanie White says the Stockbridge school district food service program plays a significant role in establishing students’ healthy food choices.
by Amy Haggerty
The Stockbridge school district food service program plays a significant role in establishing students’ healthy food choices. It ensures that they receive meals based on national nutritional standards and encourages wellness, critically important to their growth and development.
Stephanie White, director, has been an integral part of this program for the past 19 years. She oversees the breakfast and lunch programs for about 1,400 students, grades K-12, in three schools, .
White, who grew up in the Chelsea area and attended all of her school aged years in the Chelsea School District, graduated in 1985. She married Dennis White in 1989 and raised three children; Amanda (33), Delbert (D.J, 26) and Breanna (25). She also has one amazing, seven-year-old grandson, Bransen.
Stephanie began working at Chelsea business Mac Dee Inc. making prosthetic implants. In 1992, when White opted to be a stay-at-home mom. After a few years, she took a demanding, long-houred job in the service department at Bob’s Ford in Stockbridge. In 2000, with small children with growing needs at home, White decided to work at Stockbridge Schools where her schedule would allow more time with her family.
White attributes her hard work ethic to her father. “Work hard, show up, and be on time!” she declares.
Life as a mom was busy with three children in dance classes, scouting and travel hockey. Her active clan seemed always on the go after school.
White considers family, by far, her greatest accomplishment. She loves that she is able to work on the same schedule as her children. She says the best thing about her job is when she can be in the lunchroom with the kids. “It’s like stress release time!”
White feels that being around kids is important and every child has a story. “If I can connect with them in an uplifting way, those are the moments that matter.”
Some days can be stressful, but White keeps in mind that she has a great staff. “We are here to feed the kids,” she said. “They can’t learn if they are hungry.”
She is happy to share advice with students in Stockbridge: “You have a voice, so use it!” and “This is your cafeteria and your opinion matters the most.” “Speak up with your likes and dislikes,” she says, “or suggest ways we can make improvements in your meals.”
After 19 years in the lunchroom, you can be sure Stephanie White is dishing out decent food for thought.
